The title of the story "A Cup of Tea" by Katherine Mansfield is a simple yet powerful choice that perfectly captures the themes and events of the narrative.
The story follows a young woman named Rosemary who is out shopping for a hat when she comes across a homeless man sitting on the steps of a church. Moved by his pitiable appearance, she invites him into a nearby tea shop and buys him a cup of tea.
Throughout the course of the story, the cup of tea serves as a symbol of Rosemary's generosity and compassion. It represents her willingness to reach out and help someone in need, even though she has no obligation to do so. The act of buying the man a cup of tea may seem like a small gesture, but it is a significant one that demonstrates Rosemary's kindness and humanity.
However, the cup of tea also serves as a symbol of the divide between Rosemary and the homeless man. While Rosemary is able to afford a cup of tea and is able to sit and enjoy it in the warm, comfortable surroundings of the tea shop, the homeless man is forced to live on the streets, struggling to survive. The contrast between Rosemary's privilege and the man's poverty is brought into sharp relief by the cup of tea, which serves as a reminder of the inequalities that exist in the world.
In addition to being a symbol of compassion and inequality, the cup of tea is also a catalyst for change in the story. As Rosemary sits and talks with the man, she begins to see him as a fellow human being rather than just a homeless person in need of charity. She begins to understand his struggles and feel a sense of connection with him. This shift in perspective ultimately leads Rosemary to invite the man to come home with her, offering him a warm meal and a place to sleep.
In conclusion, the title "A Cup of Tea" is a fitting choice for this story because it perfectly captures the themes of compassion, inequality, and connection that are central to the narrative. The cup of tea serves as a symbol of Rosemary's generosity and kindness, but also serves as a reminder of the divide between those who have privilege and those who do not. Ultimately, the cup of tea helps to bring about a meaningful change in Rosemary's perspective and leads her to take action to help someone in need.